A new name!

So my blog has a new name...I have been wanting to change it for a while and finally decided on 'Created in His image for His glory...' because I want to be reminded each time I visit that I do not exist to serve myself or even just my family. I want to be reminded of why I was created, what my purpose is, not just as a wife and mother but even more importantly...to bring glory to the one who created me, forgave my sins and adopted me into His family. HE is EVERYTHING and because I was born with a sinful and selfish heart, I need to be reminded of that often so I don't think more highly of myself than I ought!

I loved this and just wanted to share!

Here's a link to a post that I just read... It IS risky to live life out of our comfort zones but the rewards are great and we are never alone! I haven't taken many risks in the last few years...mostly I've been just barely hanging on but I know that it is only this way for a 'season.' I am beginning to be excited about what God will bring into my life and how He will use me as my little blessings grow and become more independent.

"I don't have anything!"

This morning while I was sitting at the computer, Carter came up to me with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face and said "I don't have anything!" So funny...a two year old with a secret he just can't keep! When I finally managed to get a look at what was in those sweet little hands I found one of my camera batteries (which I apparently left on the counter within reach...although I guess it wouldn't matter anyway since climbing on the counter using the drawer handles is pretty much a daily thing right now...little stinker!)

Nuts?

Just had to share this... Tonight while I was praying with Carter before bed he kept lifting up my head so I would look at him and when I finally did he said "Evan hurt me!" I said "did you tell him that wasn't very nice and to please not do that anymore?" He said "yes" (but I really don't think he did.) I stared at him for several seconds thinking what a little cutie he is and then he made his little hands into fists and said..."I'm going to punch Evan in the nuts!" All I could do at that moment is laugh (ruining a perfect opportunity to point out what Jesus wants us to do when we are wronged) because who expects something like that to come out of the mouth of their sweet little 2 year old? That came, of course, from one (or more) of his older brothers. Whenever I hear them use that term (definitely something that was picked up at school) I always request that they say 'privates' instead but it usually falls on deaf ears.

No green thumb here!

Tonight I was reminded again that I sooooooo was not born with a green thumb! I LOVE flowers and plants but planting and caring for them just does not come naturally to me. A while back I bought some rose bushes from Menards and when I got home I realized that I had no idea what to do with them since it was still too early to plant them. The roots were wrapped in plastic and just the cut off stems were sticking out. Soooooo...I watered them (just in case) and then called my aunt (my plant expert) to see what I should do and she said I shouldn't have to do anything...oops! Right away they started sprouting and when we planted them this evening there were already a few little buds. I decided that we should plant them inbetween the shrubs in front of our house and then when we were almost done I decided to read the planting instructions....no planting by shrubs...oops again! I also had some other plants that I just got today and some roots and bulbs that I had ordered from a Breck's fundraiser at school. I have no idea what to expect from the roots and bulbs. Some of them looked like they wouldn't be able to grow into anything...guess we'll see. I am excited though...it already looks better and I'm anxious to see if they survive. If not...I'll try to remember to read the directions 1st next year! Most everything that I have chosen so far is either burgandy or pink so I guess I must really like those colors. I'll try to take some pics and post them this summer sometime!

Tonight...

I haven't posted in a while... I could probably start out that way every time I post now since they are few and far between! Anyway, I thought I'd just share real quick what I have going on tonight. It's just after 10 and amazingly I'm awake enought to think (kind of) AND I have all 5 kids in bed (I don't think Evan has gotten back up yet anyway!) I'm washing AND drying laundry and have several mounds of the clean stuff in my room once again. No matter how many times I get it all put away and say I'm going to not let it get that way again...it always happens! Carl shared with me when he called on his lunch break tonight that he is getting bumped to 3rd shift! My first reaction was yuk (because it about killed us last time...well, not really but it was super hard on us) but then, amazingly, I was able to just say "maybe it will work for us right now." I didn't even feel stressed about it...very cool...God is definitely working! I still have to mix the dry portion of the chocolate chip pumpkin muffins to finish in the morning so that Chance can take them in his lunch on his fieldtrip to the 'Little Red Schoolhouse.' They are supposed to dress and take a lunch like they would have in the 'old days' and since Chance is a pretty picky eater I wanted to make something that he would actually eat.
I also have to clean all the papers off our bed before we can go to bed because when I was searching for the summer school papers that I needed earlier I had to go through a whole bin of papers that came from the counter this past weekend while I was cleaning in preparation for my sister and bro-in-law's visit! I was painting like crazy through Friday night too and actually managed to finish the dining room...even the red wall which took me about a month because I was overwhelmed by how many coats it was taking to cover it! Someday I will have the whole house painted and I can't wait...maybe by next summer? I hope so! Guess I better go...Carl will be home soon and I still have a ton to get done. I am also supposed to be babysitting little guy Ben (he's almost 2) at 8:00 in the morning which means that Carl will have to get the gate up nice and early. I probably should have separated my rambling thoughts into paragraphs of some sort to make it easier to follow but that seemed like too much work. I am so not a together wife and mom but my wonderful husband and kids love me anyway and I love them too!

Just checking...

I just remembered this and wanted to write it down in case I forget again (very likely.) A few weeks ago I was sitting at the computer and Evan came up beside me and kind of craned his neck around so he could look me closely in the face and then he said..."I was just checking to see if you're ugly, but you're not!" I thought that was pretty funny and was relieved that he had decided that I wasn't ugly. When I told Skyler later that night he pointed out that it really wasn't all that flattering since he had to wonder in the first place! Hmmm...

A new look!

I discovered 'Cutest blog on the block' on a friend's blog. It was SO cute that I wanted to check it out and was happily surprised to find that they have lots of free backgrounds. You can change them whenever you want and it's super easy...yay! I'm lovin' the change! :)

A laugh out loud post!

Just had to post a link to this (http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/04/taste-buds-of-ten-year-old_24.html) because it was the funniest thing I have read in a while...I love Beth!

5 precious faces!

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Recently we went to Sears to have the boys pics taken and here are my favorite pics from that visit. I like to go there for a few reasons...

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#1 I love that I can get them on cd and that it's affordable for us...it's really hard for me to get the boys pics taken now and not have the digital images (guess I've allowed myself to get spoiled.) There are always so many things I want to 'fix' (I'm a perfectionist in that way) and I love that I have a great computer program that allows me to do that. Three years ago I cut and pasted a good pic of Skyler (from the same session) onto our family pic and it's one of my favorites!

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#2 I love the big numbers for age milestones and I really like some of their backgrounds (although they are kind of small so you are more limited in that way!)

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#3 I love that we can have the photo session and then I can go back in the next few days all by myself to choose and order the pics (that makes the experience so much less stressful!)

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My AMAZING boys...I love them so!

My sweet Carter!

He gave us some very sweet smiles although I was a little envious of all the HUGE smiles that my friend Melonie got from her little Levi at his 2 yr. pics (they were precious!)

This is one of my favorites...Auntie Shelly came to help and she managed to get him to smile through the stair prop (the only big smile we got on camera!) I love how his front teeth are out a little farther than the rest of his teeth!

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A more serious look with a hint of a smile :)

I love this one of my baby sucking his thumb (with a smile behind it)...we have seen this often over the past 2 years!

Ready to play ball...

and he means business! (Another of my favorites.)

It's still hard to believe my baby is 2...they grow so fast!

I love little bare feet!

This one makes me melt! Evan LOVES 'The Incredibles'! He got this suit for Christmas (a few days early) and wore it the whole way to Michigan & back (and most of the visit there) when we went to spend Christmas with Carl's family. I wanted to get pics of him in the suit so I had him wear it there...I knew if he got upset he would refuse to cooperate for more pics and was glad I did because he refused to put his regular clothes back on after that.

Loved this background with the suit!

Showin' off his Mr. Incredible muscles!

This one was taken as an extreme close-up and is a little blurry but I still love it!

My little superhero!

My 'little man' Ben! This is one of my favorites of him in his suit! He got to wear it to school several times this year and asked to wear it for these pics. It's a hand-me-down from my cousin Kristi...so adorable!

Ok...they're all my favorites! Actually there were a bunch more but these were definitely the best!

Love the pose and the smile (thanks Auntie Shelly...you're the best!)

A contagious smile!

Ben wanted to wear his 'hot wheels' shirt for some too.

My Chancey...I love his smile and his eyes (so full of mischief!) I didn't really need new pics of Chance & Skyler but since I was paying for a cd thought I might as well have them all on it! They were both very quick but are still in the 'uncomfortable smile' stage...this one came when she told him 'not' to smile! The hair...? Well it looks like a bad haircut but I had put gel in it and it had a mind of it's own so only part of it spiked. Yes, I did give them all a haircut before pics so it falls on me! I think it's cute anyway.

My Skyler...he was trying to give the 'goofy' smile that he always does so I said the 1st thing that came to mind..."Ms. Nietzke has a furry back"...instant smile. Ms. Neitzke is his aide at school and he thought that was pretty funny! I didn't think she'd mind. :) I still need to re-schedule his orthodontics consult...guess I should maybe do some research on how other 'mild autism' children have done (or not) with braces. I'm not too sure how he would handle that!

Ok, YEAH!

Tonight I was getting Carter ready for bed and he was already changed and in his jammies so I told him to come get his teeth brushed. He said "no" (as he often does) and I said "you don't tell me no!" He immediately came back with a loud "ok, YEAH!" I had to laugh at that one! What a little stinker! He is funny like big brother Ben is but in a naughtier/more smarty pants way!

He loves to look at books and be read to at any time of day but bedtime is just not bedtime without several books being read to him. After I brushed his teeth he asked if I was going to read a story and when I said yes he opened his hands, gave me a big smile and after a quick intake of breath said a very appreciative "THANK YOU!" That brought another smile to my face...I love that he loves books because I love them too! :) And I love my sweet, naughty little Carter! ;)

My world right now...

April 2008

It's been a month since I've posted now and I have a few free minutes while my sick little guy is napping (poor little Carter)...so here goes nothin'...
I've been staying off the computer for the most part...no posting, just a little reading of blogs and a little time on facebook. I feel like I have my life back and it really has been an answer to prayer because I so lack self-control and it was seriously affecting my life and my ability to take care of my home. I am almost always behind but I was getting really behind even on the basic things. I am happy to report that I have been not only catching up but have been getting some things done that I have been meaning to do since we moved into our house 2 1/2 years ago. I bought some paint this past weekend and am so excited to get started painting and put color on the walls (no waiting for Spring)...repainting the top of half of Skyler's room because I picked a light color and he wants it cavelike and then onto the living room and dining room...not too challenging because neither room is all that big...I seriously can't wait!!! So far we have only painted the boys rooms (my favorite being Carter's bright and sunny yellow room) and when I look at all the other walls I strongly dislike the white I see there and imagine the color I want to see there. It's funny because all the years I lived in military housing it never bothered me but now it really does...I need color! I am also beginning to get better organized...I have a serious need for that because that is just the way God made me and I am so much more content when the things around me are neat and organized. I am STILL struggling with with reading God's word and praying regularly and have realized the last few days that I need to start a daily devotional (always a good idea anyway, I know...I just haven't done one in a long time) because just picking up the Bible is overwhelming to me right now. I so take things to extremes so even though I have not been devoting my time to blogging or facebooking, I have been overly focused on getting my home like I want it to be and I know it doesn't have to be that way. I know that when I put God 1st he will help me to balance everything else so although I really want color on my walls and a neat organized life...I know what I really need is a heart devoted to my creator...that, more than anything else, will bring balance and contentment to my life.

On another note...I haven't shared any Carter funnies in a while and haven't even managed to blog & share pictures about my very precious now 2 year old but last night...in the middle of the night (through our exhaustion) Carl and I just had to laugh...after Carter had thrown up (just a little) in our bed, I have him cold med. and within minutes he was feeling better and bursting with energy. I gave him an empty ice cream bucket in the slim hope that he would all of a sudden be proficient at recognizing the urge to throw up and be able to aim as well but no...it instantly became a hat (covering his whole head) and he had fun running circles around the living room loudly proclaiming..."I am a robot!" over and over. It was priceless and I wish that I had thought to take a picture! The 'sick bug' is making it's rounds at our house but I am thankful for moments like this to smile about...God is not only good...he is great...and so amazing!

My Benjamino...Happy 6th Birthday!

I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures of my little Benjamino in honor of your 6th birthday...you are an amazing gift from a loving heavenly father! We all love you so much and are so blessed to have you in our family!

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What a precious little guy you were...always happy and such a joy!

I loved your beautiful smile & big baby blues (and still do!)

My favorite picture of you & Daddy!

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You were so content and could have fun all by yourself but we learned early that you love to entertain!

I love this picture of me holding you that my friend Tiffany took!

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Still so precious at 3 1/2...

and 5...

and almost 6!

You are a great little AND big brother (although you do like to tease.) You have plenty of attitude now and are more of a challenge but you are still a joy and so much fun to be around! You love to learn about Jesus and be in church...I can't wait to see what God has in store for my little Benjamino as you grow!

"Don't call me stupid!"

I thought this was so funny...yeah, I might have a warped sense of humor! Carter & Evan were in the living room playing with each other (nicely for a change...they usually drive us nuts with their constant bickering) and then Evan said something mean to Carter and Carter in return said "stupid Evan!" Shortly after that Evan told Carter to come over by him and said "closer, closer..." as Carter was walking over to him and then as he came to a stop Evan gave him a soft punch in the chest (it really didn't look like it hurt and Carter didn't even react) and said "there...now don't call me stupid anymore...I hate that!" Cracked me up! They really are almost constantly at each other and I always look forward to Carter's naps (he still usually takes 2) so we can get a break from that. Evan IS usually mean to him and when Carter feels like complaining he usually starts with ''Evan hurt me!" I'm glad that he can express himself but it sure does get old!

Too funny (and a little scary!)

A little earlier the boys and I were watching the Biggest Loser (which we all like) when a commercial for Mirena (birth control) came on. I wasn't even really paying attention but Chance and Skyler started having a discussion about if I should use it, asking me if we had enough kids in our family and Skyler said that if we were done that it would be a good choice for me! Birth control or any birds & bees stuff for that matter, is not something that we have ever discussed with them so it was too funny (and a little scary) to me that they were talking about something like that. The commercial didn't show anything inappropriate (I don't think,) just what the little device looks like but my goodness, do they pay close attention to what they see and hear! We have always been pretty careful about what we let them watch and still are but it really is a reminder that we really need to be on our guard as parents!